What animals live in DR Congo?

DR Congo is one of the most wild places on Earth, and Herman & Rusty have been amazed — I mean, genuinely stunned — by what lives there! The Congo rainforest is home to gorillas, forest elephants, okapis (a striped animal that looks like a cross between a giraffe and a zebra), chimpanzees, and even the rare bonobo, a type of ape found nowhere else on the planet. The Congo River itself is packed with over 700 kinds of fish, including some that glow in the dark in the deep water. Hippos wade in the shallower rivers, and colorful parrots and hornbills fill the treetops. God designed a remarkable world, and DR Congo holds some of its most extraordinary creatures — a reminder of just how creative and powerful the One who made it all truly is.

What do kids eat in DR Congo?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! In DR Congo, many kids eat a thick porridge called fufu almost every day. It is made from cassava, a starchy root that grows well in the warm, rainy soil there. You scoop it up with your fingers and dip it into a sauce made with greens, fish, or beans. Rusty wants to add — plantains are also a big deal! They look like bananas but are starchier, and families fry them, boil them, or roast them over a fire. In villages near the Congo River, grilled fish shows up at a lot of meals too. It is simple food, but families share it together, and that part feels the same as dinner tables just about anywhere.

How do people say hello in DR Congo?

Great question to ask! In DR Congo, the most widely spoken trade language is called Lingala, and in Lingala you greet someone by saying 'Mbote!' (say it like 'mm-BOH-tay'). It means hello, and people say it with a big smile and a warm handshake. DR Congo is actually home to over 200 languages, so greetings can change depending on where you are in that vast country. In the Swahili-speaking east, people say 'Jambo!' In French, which is the official language of schools and government, you would say 'Bonjour!' Missionaries working there often spend years learning local languages just so they can share the good news about Jesus in the words people know best — the language of their own heart.

What sports or games do kids play in DR Congo?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in DR Congo are absolutely wild about football — what you probably call soccer. You'll find boys and girls kicking balls in dusty clearings, on dirt roads, and in school yards all across the country. It is the sport everyone loves, from the biggest cities like Kinshasa to small villages deep in the rainforest. Rusty wants to add that when a proper ball is hard to find, kids get creative and bundle up rags or plastic bags tied tightly into a round shape — and the game goes on! Children also enjoy wrestling, running races, and traditional clapping and singing games, especially girls in groups after school. It is a good reminder that play and laughter are gifts God wired into kids everywhere, no matter where they live.

What's the weather like in DR Congo?

DR Congo sits right on the equator, so most of the country is hot and humid nearly all year long. There are two seasons — a rainy season and a dry season — but it never gets cold the way it does in places farther from the equator. Expect thick air, lots of rain, and temperatures that stay warm day after day. The rainforest in the center of DR Congo gets an enormous amount of rain — sometimes over 80 inches in a year. Up in the eastern highlands near the mountains, though, it cools down quite a bit, and you might even need a jacket. Missionaries working in different parts of the country can face very different conditions depending on where God has called them to serve.

Tell me a fun fact about DR Congo.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! The Congo River, which runs through DR Congo, is the deepest river in the entire world — in some spots it plunges more than 700 feet down, which is deeper than a 60-story building is tall. No one has ever touched the bottom in those places! DR Congo is also home to the okapi — an animal that looks like it can't make up its mind between being a zebra and a giraffe. It has striped legs like a zebra but is actually the giraffe's closest living relative. For a long time, scientists in other parts of the world didn't even believe it was real. God packed some genuinely surprising creatures into that part of His creation.

What is school like for kids in DR Congo?

In DR Congo, going to school is something many kids want to do but not everyone gets to do it easily. Families often pay fees to send their children to school, and if money is tight, some kids have to stay home. Schools can be crowded, with many students sharing one small room and few books to go around. Many schools are run by churches, including ones started by missionaries long ago — which is pretty neat history. Kids learn French, since that is the main official language, plus math, reading, and other subjects. Some children walk a long way on dirt paths just to reach their classroom. Even with the hard parts, many Congolese kids show up eager to learn, and local churches are working hard to make sure more children get that chance.

Who are the unreached people in DR Congo?

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a big country with hundreds of people groups, and most Congolese have at least heard the name of Jesus. But there are some groups, especially in the northern and eastern parts of the country, where very few people have ever heard the true gospel. Some of these groups speak languages that have little or no Bible translation yet, so God's Word has never reached their ears in words they fully understand. One group to know about is the Mbuti pygmy people, who live deep in the rainforest and have had very little contact with Christian missionaries. There are also Muslim communities along the northern border near the Central African Republic and Sudan where the gospel has had a hard time getting through. Rusty and I think about how Romans 10 says people can't believe in someone they've never heard about — that's exactly why missionaries and Bible translators keep pressing into these hard places, trusting God to open doors.

How can I pray for the people of DR Congo?

Herman and Rusty here, and we are glad you asked! DR Congo is a place where many people love Jesus, but they face real hardships — violence in some regions, poverty, and areas where it is hard for missionaries to travel safely. You can pray that the people of DR Congo hear the gospel clearly and that many trust Jesus as their Savior. There are also Christians in DR Congo who are suffering because they follow Jesus, and they need courage and protection. Pray that Congolese church leaders grow strong and wise, that missionaries find open doors to share the good news, and that children and families across this enormous country come to know Jesus personally. God hears those prayers, and they matter.

What is a holiday or celebration in DR Congo?

One big celebration in DR Congo is Independence Day on June 30th. That is the day in 1960 when the Congo became its own nation, free from Belgian rule. People gather, sing, and watch parades with colorful flags and music. Christmas is also celebrated widely in DR Congo, and it is a very special day for the many Congolese Christians there. Churches fill up with singing — and Congolese church music is something to hear, full of rhythm and joy. Families share meals together, often including dishes like fufu, which is a thick dough made from cassava root, eaten with stew. It is a reminder that followers of Jesus around the world celebrate the same Savior, even when their traditions look different from yours.

What language do people speak in DR Congo?

Great question! DR Congo is one of the most language-rich places on earth. The official language is French, left over from when Belgium ruled the country long ago. But most people don't use French at home — they speak one of around 200 local languages! Four languages act as 'bridge languages' that help people from different groups talk to each other: Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba, and Swahili. Imagine needing four different bridges just to cross one country! This also means Bible translators have a lot of work to do, making sure every group can read and hear about Jesus in the language they understand best.

What's a famous place to visit in DR Congo?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most striking places in DR Congo is Virunga, a vast stretch of land in the east filled with towering volcanoes, thick forests, and rushing rivers. It sits near the borders of Rwanda and Uganda, and the landscape there is unlike almost anywhere else on Earth. Rusty wants to add that the Congo River itself is worth knowing about — it is the second longest river in Africa and one of the deepest rivers in the entire world. People travel it by boat for days, passing small villages where families fish and trade. Many of those villages are places where missionaries have walked to bring the good news of Jesus, which makes the river feel like a road with a story.

DR Congo — Kids Missions Explorer

Okapi

The okapi looks like a cross between a giraffe and a zebra, but it is actually the giraffe's closest living relative and lives only in the forests of DR Congo.

Congo Peafowl

The Congo peafowl is a striking bird found nowhere else on earth, and it was unknown to scientists until 1936 when a museum specimen was finally identified.

Fufu

Fufu is a thick, doughy staple made from cassava that Congolese families eat by hand, scooping up stews and sauces with it at nearly every meal.

Pondu

Pondu is a savory dish made from pounded cassava leaves cooked slowly with palm oil, onions, and sometimes smoked fish, giving it a deep, earthy flavor.

Moambe Chicken

Moambe chicken is a rich, nutty dish simmered in palm butter sauce that is considered one of the most beloved traditional meals across the country.

DR Congo

Things you should know about DR Congo

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in DR Congo

Missions in DR Congo

Pray for DR Congo